Category: Apple

Tim Cook might launch new ‘Apple’s TV service’ this year

Tim Cook might launch new ‘Apple’s TV service’ this year

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Apple’s TV service

The long-awaited Apple’s TV service is on this year?

Apple might be planning to launch its own TV service in the first half of 2019. Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC’s Mad Money host Jim Cramer in an exclusive interview that the company will announce new “services” this year. While Cook didn’t say what kind of services.

TV Manufacturers are suddenly, mysteriously embracing Apple

At CES 2019, there’s been a series of surprise announcements from TV manufacturers that are suddenly supporting Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. They allow you to cast content directly from your iPhone, iPad and Mac. Even the major rivals of Apple, Google and Samsung do this. Furthermore, Samsung will actually support iTunes, too, enabling you to access movies and TV shows from iTunes.

This make us to expect Apple might be ready to pump with those hardware manufacturers for the upcoming TV service.

Then, there’s content: Apple has been spending over $1 billion on original TV content with no obvious platform. Another report suggested that some of those original shows were slated to debut as soon as this March. And another still claimed that those shows might be free for people who own Apple devices. But  it’s not clear yet what other services Apple might be talking about.

Cook also addressed reports that the iPhone XR might not be selling as well as expected, saying that it has still been the most popular iPhone every day since launch. He also said wearable device business is bringing in more money than the iPod ever did. The Apple Watch and AirPods made 50 percent more money than iPod at peak sales.

This article was written by reference of: here

Siri Gets Much Smarter as Apple’s Investments Pay Off

Siri Gets Much Smarter as Apple’s Investments Pay Off

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Apple’s digital assistant, Siri just vaulted past Alexa and Cortana in an 800-question test.

Siri
HomePod / Apple

 

Over the recent few years, voice-controlled digital assistants, like Siri, have popular in our everyday life. For more examples there are Amazon’s Alexa, Alphabet’s Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana inhabit all kind of electronic devices.

When Siri got back in 2010, this digital darling was revolutionary, but other companies started to follow this new sensation. Plus, Apple didn’t move fast to adapt the artificial intelligence (AI) that powered its digital assistant. On the other hand, competitors invested aggressively and gained acceleration from the beginning.

Over the past couple of years, however, Apple has been working to restore Siri to her former glory. New data released by Loup Ventures shows that Siri is quickly gaining ground.

A comprehensive exam

Longtime Apple follower Gene Munster and fellow analyst Will Thompson set out to test the performance of the digital assistants. These are four of the most widely used smart speakers: Amazon Echo (Alexa), Google Home (Google Assistant), HomePod (Siri), and the Invoke (Cortana) by Harman Kardon, a division of Samsung Electronics.

The process of the test was asking a series of 800 questions to each. They observed how the digital assistants answered the questions which held in five categories.

  • Local: Where is the nearest coffee shop?
  • Commerce: Can you order me more paper towels?
  • Navigation: How do I get to uptown on the bus?
  • Information: Who do the Twins play tonight?
  • Command: Remind me to call Steve at 2 p.m. today.

Dramatic improvement

Siri took second place, and this was just right behind Google Assistant. Also, the report revealed that Siri’s score improved by more than 22 points — more than any other competitor. Siri answered 74.6% of questions correctly, and it is an improvement from the 52.3% tested in February 2018.

The report cites HomePod’s tight integration with Siri on the iPhone and its ability to access email, calendar, and messaging as contributing to its victory in that category. It took second place in three of the remaining four categories, but came in last in the Information segment.

Those investments are paying off

Earlier this year, Apple hired John Giannandrea to let him take the lead its recently reorganized AI, machine learning, and Siri teams.  Also, Giannandrea had got promotion to the  executive team, as senior vice president of machine learning and artificial intelligence strategy.

Apple has long been behind in the AI field, because the company primarily had rigid stance on user privacy. AI uses  large data sets but at the same time, involves transferring user data to the cloud. Apple has been trying to develop alternative ways. For instance, they can process data at the device level, which keeps user data more secure by keeping it out of the cloud.

This article is written by reference of: here

Slightly bent iPad Pro, but Apple says it’s normal

Slightly bent iPad Pro, but Apple says it’s normal

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Apple said the bend didn’t lower the iPad Pro’s performances.

iPad Pro
iPad Pro / Apple

 

Apple has confirmed that some of 2018 iPad Pros have a very slight bend in the aluminum chassis. But according to the company, this is just a side effect of the device’s manufacturing process. So it doesn’t negatively affect the iPad’s performance. In brief, Apple does not consider it to be a defect. The bend has occurred from a cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components during manufacturing. Both sizes of the new iPad Pro can exhibit this condition.

Some customers have claimed on their social media that their iPad Pros developed a small bend without any abnormal mistreatment. They believed it happened gradually in everyday use — or after transporting the iPad Pro in a backpack. And other were insistent that their iPad Pro came that way out of the box. Apple is now saying that in some cases, the latter is true.

This situation happens more commonly on the LTE model, as there’s a plastic strip that breaks up the iPad’s flat aluminum sides.

It’s where the antenna line divides two parts of metal, and some users have noticed a bend. Although some owners of the Wi-Fi model also claim to have this situation, but many are straight as designed. Somebody may consider this as a minor problem — not even a problem. But actually perceived issue matters for Apple, beacuse it has been known for its reputation in manufacturing devices.

The customers who had a trouble with bent iPad Pros should be able to get exchange or return their iPad Pro at the Apple Store or other retailers within the 14-day return window. But it’s not clear if swaps will be possible outside that policy. Some employees said there is AppleCare for this kind of situation. However, this system isn’t for just a slight bend which came with initially.

BUT APPLE SAYS THAT CONCERNS OVER THE IPAD PRO’S STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY ARE UNFOUNDED

That confidence shows us that this is not going to be a “bendgate” controversy again. In 2014, there was a similar problem with iPhone 6 Plus. So its next iPhone switched over to a sturdier aluminum. But then, Apple had some trouble dealing with that, eventually launching a repair program. So at this time, Apple might know that trying to assure consumers is important, telling the fuss is over nothing.

This article is written by reference of: here

 

An Apple Watch saved a man having irregular heartbeat

An Apple Watch saved a man having irregular heartbeat

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When Ed Dentel updated his Apple Watch on Thursday night, he didn’t expect it to upend his weekend, much less change his life.

Apple Watch
Ed Dentel, a man saved by an Apple Watch / abcNews

 

The 46-year-old communications consultant from Richmond, Virginia, does taekwondo with his family three times a week, bikes and skis frequently. He said he has exercised steadily and had no disease before. And then Apple Watch gave him an alert about his heart irregular heartbeat with the electrocardiogram app.

Ed Dentel received an alert from his Apple watch about an abnormal heart rate. On Friday morning, over breakfast with his 7-year old daughter, he put his watch back on. And the Apple Watch kept saying the same thing even he switches left to right again and again: “AFib.” Then he started to get a little bit alarmed about his health.

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib or AF, is a specific kind of irregular heart rhythm. If left untreated, it can damage heart muscles and increase the risk of stroke. So it’s important to catch the symptoms at the initiatory stage. And this is what Apple Watch did.

Dentel drove to a nearby urgent care center while thinking it’s silly. But the one last time he checked his watch, it said ‘AFib’ again. Even Checking in, Dentel felt like a hypochondriac explaining that his watch told him that his heart has a probem. But after an exact exam, the doctor confirmed his diagnose.

After that Dentel started learning about AFib and what its impact and how important it is to get an early notice of it.

This article was written by reference of: here. Click the link if you wanna know more about atrial fibrillation.

A new report suggests that Apple’s New AirPods will come in early 2019

A new report suggests that Apple’s New AirPods will come in early 2019

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There are also rumors that Apple will redesign new AirPods for 2020

Would New AirPods be different?

There might be a chance to see a upgraded version of new AirPods in the first quarter of 2019. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst, the demand for the devices will roar in the upcoming years.

Some rumors said that there would be the debut of the new AirPods during Apple’s product launch in 2018 fall. But sadly, it didn’t appear yet. In Kuo’s predictions, the upgrade rumor about “wireless charging support” could both mean an upgraded case or earpieces themselves. Kuo also says that the next model will come with upgraded Bluetooth specs and an upgraded hinge on the case. Of course it could be more expensive than former version. Also, water resistance and noise cancelation are in the expectations as well. This will make the new Airpods more high-end products.

Kuo notes that there will be an “all new design” for the 2020 AirPods, after the potential 2019 upgrade. He also reportedly says that AirPods are Apple’s most popular accessory ever.  So he predicts that the company will go from selling 16 million in 2017 to more than 100 million by 2021.

This article was written by reference of: here

New App Development Program Launched for Female Entrepreneurs

New App Development Program Launched for Female Entrepreneurs

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On November 26, Apple launched a new Entrepreneur Camp, a new initiative that was designed to create new opportunities for app developers and  businesses owned or led by women.

In order to be eligible for the program, businesses must be “female-founded, co-founded or led and have at least one woman on the development team — as well as a working app or prototype and desire to leverage Apple technologies to benefit their mission.” Applications will be accepted starting January 2019.

According to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook on the new program, “Apple is committed to helping more women assume leadership roles across the tech sector and beyond. We’re proud to help cultivate female leadership in the app development community with the new Apple Entrepreneur Camp, and we’re inspired both by the incredible work that’s already happening, and what’s sure to come.”

Sessions for the Entrepreneur Camp will be held on a quarterly basis, although only 20 app companies will be accepted for each round every quarter. The pilot session beginning in January  will only include 10 companies. 

Once candidates are accepted, each company will have the opportunity to send three members to Cupertino, California for a two-week program at Apple’s campus, which includes code-level assistance with Apple engineers, design sessions, technology and App Store marketing, as well as support from an Apple Developer representative. In addition, each company will also receive two tickets to the following year’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference. 

In 2017, female entrepreneurs received $1.9 billion in funding, compared to the $83.1 billion for men. Although they have such obstacles to face, women-owned businesses are growing more than two times faster than the national average; tech startups led or create by female entrepreneurs are now delivering a 35 percent higher return on investment startups led by male entrepreneurs.

To learn more about the development program or to apply, visit https://developer.apple.com/entrepreneur-camp/.

 

Spotify App Launches for Apple Watch

Spotify App Launches for Apple Watch

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On November 13, Apple launched its Spotify app for the Apple Watch. Now, users can control their music and playback options. The only downside is that users are not able to sync songs for offline playback on their watch. Because they have claimed it to be their “first version,” it is expected to roll out more advanced features in the future.

Features of this first version Spotify app include playback, choosing music to play, playing to Spotify Connect devices, and creating a favorites list for your music.

To choose music, simply swipe to the left and it will show you recently played music from your Spotify account. Here, you can scroll with your finger or the digital crown and swap albums or playlists. The negative side to this is that you only get to choose recent items and cannot select songs within those items, only skip through.

With a shortcut to Spotify Connect on the Apple Watch, you are also able to play your music to any compatible devices, including your smartphone, Amazon Echo or Sonos speaker.

A great feature with the app is that you have the ability to favorite and add music to your library right from the Apple Watch screen; just tap the heart and the track will be added to your music library. To retrieve the list, just go to the Songs list in your Spotify library.

Although the Apple Watch Spotify app offers no LTE streaming straight from the Apple Watch to a pair of headphones, there is potential in the future versions that will offer this feature.

 

New iPad Pro 2018: Apple’s Latest Release

New iPad Pro 2018: Apple’s Latest Release

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iPad

The New iPad Pro 2018 will be revealed on Tuesday, October 30 in New York City.

iPad 9.7in for 2018, more affordable Apple model, has already launched earlier this year, new version of Apple iPad Pro is coming for wealthy people and creative professionals. The new Pro version is expected to be announced with an event, will be held in Brooklyn, New York, confirmed for tomorrow: 30 October, at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

We can expect a larger screen, smaller bezels, an iPad without home button and notch since the latest Apple model takes inspiration from iPhone XS design. The image below has ‘leaked’ by one of the screen protector brand, mostly based on dimensions has leaked. For the final unit, wait for Apple’s big launch event tomorrow.

New iPad Pro 2018
iPad Pro

The new design comes with Touch ID with Face ID camera for biometric authentication purposes and side bezels all around the display. By using this feature, you can unlock iPad with your face without the need for entering password or fingerprint process.

Also, iPad Pro is expected to include TrueDepth front-facing camera along with better bokeh effects, slim top, and bottom display.

By removal of the Home button and having a bezel of consistent around the edge, The iPad Pro comes with an entirely new look with a bigger, dynamic edge-to-edge display. The dimensions of the new models will go from 9.17 inches tall (247.64mm) and 7 inches wide (178.52mm) to 11 inches tall (280.66m) and 8.5 inches wide (215mm).  According to the leaks comes from a trusted source who was right about Apple’s previous updates, new iPad Pro won’t have a headphone port and while the smaller model is expected to be as thin as 5.86mm the larger ones will be around 6.4mm. New iPad Pro users is expected to switch from the lightning port to the USB-C port.

Design wise, we expect the new device has rounded corners and a sleep/wake button at the top, but it looks like new iPad’s models have a ‘diamond cut’ at both the front and the back of the frame as you can see the illustration as featured.

In addition to the new design and Face ID technology, the new iPad Pro is expected to be fitted with a new A12X processor, making the iPad faster than ever, and bringing some new artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) features.

Since, current prices for iPad Pro 10.5in and 12.9in between $649 and $799, we would consider Apple to set a similar price range for 2018 updates.

For more information on the new iPad models, click here.

What Could be Apple’s Next Smash Hit?

What Could be Apple’s Next Smash Hit?

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Former iPhone engineer Ken Kocienda, developer of the on-screen keyboard on the original iPhone and the autocorrect feature, figures Apple’s next big hit will probably surround AR, or augmented reality. AR allows its users to see information overlying on their surroundings via their smartphones or other devices; this technology is used in Nintendo’s popular mobile game “Pokemon Go.”

“You can take your phone and you could point its camera at something in the world,” said Kocienda. According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Apple‘s move into augmented reality could boost iPhone and App Store sales. This could result in as much as $8 billion in revenue for Apple. Last quarter, Apple reported $3.74 billion in revenue from its “other products” division, which includes sales of Apple Watches, iPods and home products.

Replace Your iPhone Battery for $29

Replace Your iPhone Battery for $29

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Usually, the cost to replace your iPhone battery is $79. However, last year Apple announced the price drop to $29 for users of the iPhone 6 or later. If you are fall into this category, now is the time to take advantage of this low price – you have until December 31!

Last December, Apple acknowledged the fact that iPhone users’ device performance had been lowering on its older models. Apple said the goal was to preserve battery life on those older phones and prevent them from shutting down unexpectedly, although many users believe it was make them purchase the latest model that came out that year.

Here are some tips to improve battery life in the mean time!

Low Battery Mode – turning on low battery mode in settings will help to preserve your battery a little longer, especially if your phone is on the verge of dying and you’re nowhere near a charger.

Close All Apps – pretty simple, right? Yet, most of us forget! If you’re not using an app, swipe to close it and see much longer your phone lasts you.

Don’t Overcharge – overcharging your phone can actually drain your battery quicker; always be sure to unplug as soon as it hits 100%, or even beforehand. And NEVER charge it overnight as your phone can be fully charged for hours!